Sunday, July 13, 2008

Note to readers: CQ Weekly is a publication of Congressional Quarterly, a media group that bills itself as "The Nation's Leader in Political Journalism Since 1945". You can learn more about Congressional Quarterly here.

She may have given up, but a few of Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s people haven’t.

The senator from New York is said to be negotiating a respectful presence followed by a graceful exit from next month’s Democratic convention, and last week the party announced that Barack Obama would formally accept the party’s nomination in the stadium built for the Denver Broncos. But there are Clinton supporters clinging to thehope that if her name is placed in nomination and the roll call of the states is conducted, she might — might — still win.

Heidi Li Feldman, a Georgetown University law professor, insists there’s still“no way of predicting” the outcome should there be a fair vote. That’s because Obama has not secured enough pledged delegates to ensure the magic number of 2,118 needed to claim victory; the Illinois senator has gone past that benchmark only with thepledges of about 390 superdelegates —and they can change their minds at any time up to the moment they cast their ballots.

“If they had a meaningful vote, I have no idea who would win,” Feldman says. “But I know that if Sen. Obama were sure he would win, there wouldn’t be a negotiation” about Clinton’s role at the convention.

So Feldman, who says she has raised about $100,000 for Clinton, has turned her prowess to raising money for advertising demanding a convention vote, and she has teamed with a fellow pro-Clinton blogger, Marc Rubin, to form the Denver Group to lobby the Democratic National Committee, much of the staff of which has already moved from Washington to Chicago to work for Obama.

Feldman says she won’t vote for Obama if Clinton doesn’t get a convention vote. Rubin says he might not. Both say they aren’t worried that their efforts will continue to divide Democrats at a time when they should be uniting to take on Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. In fact, they argue, many Democrats might stay home if they feelClinton gets short shrift.

“What they have to do is make it possible for people to say to themselves that there was a fair and correct process,” Feldman says.

13 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Congratulations on the coverage. Media coverage is so crucial to get the word out to a mass of people. Thank you for all you are doing. We all just have to keep working each and every day with focused efforts to maximize the chances that Senator Clinton's name be placed in nomination at the very least, and that she be the Democratic nominee for President, at best.

"Clinton 'diehards' want a convention vote." ??!! This headline just blew me out of the water. How about "Long time Democrats call for a fair convention." I am absolutely livid! Tomorrow I'll be in a motel, but will try to call or email my congressman and Senators (at least) to remind them that this isn't some crusade of HLF or MR, or ranting by some nutcases, but a strong coalition of grassroots Democrats who would like their party to be ---well, democratic!

It's outragous that democrats are having to launch the PUMA Party just to insure that a legitimate presidential candidate, with more than half of the popular vote, be given a fair hearing at our convention. This kind of activity has been reserved for the Bush administration the last 7 years.

I too wish that Sen. Clinton would be the candidate for the Democratic Party in Nov. I strongly hope that both Sen.Clinton and former Pres.Clinton will be honest and say NO to campaigning for Obama because they really do not like him or think he is the best thing since sliced bread. Just ONCE, I wish they could be honest. Go Hillary!!!

The roll call vote is a tradition. It was granted for Chisholm, Kennedy, Dean, and all of the other democratic also-rans that did not garner near the number of votes that Senator Clinton achieved. Many of see this as a matter of respect. Additionally, we see continual degradation in the Obama candidacy and hope that the super delegates will do their jobs based on intellectual discourse and not bullying by the DNC and chicago political thugs.

On May 31, the DNC RBC seriously undermined the Democratic Party. Those who support a full roll-call are the real Democrats. Those who accepted the May 31 closed door decision are right in the swamp with the 2000 selection.

VISIT THE NEW SITE FROM THE DENVER GROUP BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTON.

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Donation information for The Denver Group's general election efforts

We hope folks will want to continue donating as regularly as they can, including just one time if that is all that makes sense to you. You can donate via Pay Pal and or by snail mail.

Footnote: The Denver Group works to achieve a democratic process at the Democratic National Convention. Heidi Li Feldman independently works, as she has throughout the campaign season, to raise money for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. For more information about that cause see Heidi Li's Potpourri.Heidi Li also works independently with an ad-hoc group of Democrats to support Senator Clinton for Senate Majority Leader in 2009. For more information about that effort - and to sign on to it - go here.

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OUR POST CONVENTION GOALS

The goals of the Denver Group in the coming general election are simple and straightforward. After witnessing the most corrupt nominating process we have ever seen, something reminiscent of the bad old days of Boss Tweed, when a rigged nominating process and roll call vote were substituted for the voices and votes of 18 million Democratic primary voters, and in the process every rule, procedure and democratic principle violated, we think what is most important now is that principle prevails before party. That means restoring the values of the Democratic Party and the principles for which it has stood and returning it to those who respect and value those traditions.

To that end our goals are:

1. The withholding of support for the Democratic candidate for President on the grounds that the party leadership subverted Democratic Party rules, procedures and principles in order to select a predetermined candidate without regard to the Democratic Party's voters, principles, rules or procedures. We do not believe anything justifies supporting a candidate who is there because of a corruption of democratic principles in the name of winning.

2. If the Democrats lose, holding accountable Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and others in the DNC who are responsible for subverting the principles which alienated 18 million voters, leading to the defeat, by demanding their resignations. And getting them.

3. The return of the Democratic Party into the hands of those who will respect its traditions, its values and democratic procedures so that the Democratic Party can be returned to those values and principles for which it has always stood.

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1. This contribution is made from my own funds, and not those of another. 2. This contribution is not made from the general treasury funds of a corporation, labor organization or national bank. 3. I am not a Federal government contractor. I am not a foreign national who lacks permanent resident status in the United States. 4. I am at least 18 years of age. 5. This contribution is made on a personal credit or debit card for which I have the legal obligation to pay, and is made neither on a corporate or business entity card nor on the card of another.6. To help us comply with FEC rules and regulations please go here to securely confirm this information and provide a few additional items. The Denver Group will keep this information strictly confidential except if required by law to give it to the FEC. After you fill out the form, you will automatically be redirected to this page and, if you have not yet donated, may do so via PayPal or mail.

Answer to questions: Yes, feel free to share

A number of people have written asking for permission to send The Denver Group ads to superdelegates or disseminate to friends and neighbors. No need to ask for permission. These are public communications and people may do with them as they please. That's part of democracy too.

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Interviews of interest - Rotating content

Heidi Li on My Two Cents Radio, August 28, 2008

Heidi Li at the Pepsi Center on the night Senator Clinton addressed the Democratic National Convention - Heidi Li was interviewed by a somewhat offbeat Dutch television show - her remarks appear halfway through this segment.

MORNINGQ BROADCAST INTERVIEW WITH RUBIN AND FELDMAN ON THE DENVER GROUP

To listen to interview click here.The interview begins at roughly 15:45 into the show.

FOX NEWS VIDEO ON THE DENVER GROUP

Here is a link to the Fox News interview of Heidi Li on Neil Cavuto discussing the Denver Group

DENVER GROUP ON ACT BLUE HOT LIST

July 16: Thanks to those who are contributing to The Denver Group via Act Blue, The Denver Group now appears on the Act Blue "Hot List". This list changes according to which Act Blue groups are seeing the most activity, and as of right now you can see for yourself. Supporters of an open convention are keeping us on the front page and it can stay that way $5 at a time.

WHO WE ARE AND OUR GOALS AND PURPOSES

The Denver Group has been formed to insure that the Democratic National Committee respect and carry out the democratic process at the convention in Denver this August by meeting certain specific goals. We will be advocating, and if neccessary pressuring, through purchased mass media as well other accepted avenues, the Democratic National Committee to see to it that these goals and the interests of tens of millions of Democratic voters are met.

Speeches allowed by supporters of Senator Clinton onbehalf of her candidacy.

A genuine roll call vote with Senator Clinton as a legitimate candidate.

No coronation

Our email address: The Denvergroup@Gmail.com

DENVER GROUP RADIO INTERVIEW AT NO QUARTER

Here is a link to listen to the Denver Group radio interview conducted 7/2/08 byNo Quarter Radio.

DENVER GROUP VIDEO

click the picture to see the inspirational video.

Read "Negotiating Democracy" on No Quarter

Click the link and read "Negotiating Democracy" and how Obama, Donna Brazile and the DNC are trying to keep Senator Clinton's name out of nomination. Then when you're even angrier than you are now come back and donate to The Denver Group

Article: An open convention protects democracy

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DENVER

1. Senator Clinton has only suspended her campaign.She has not conceded and never offered a statement of concession which is traditional when someone is no longer a candidate. She did not officially end her candidacy which she could have chosen to do. She is still technically a candidate.

2. Senator Clinton has not released her delegates.Releasing or asking her delegates to support Senator Obama is also something she could have done. She has not. All of Senator Clinton's delegates won during the primary season are still committed to her and can cast their votes for her at the convention as long as her name is on the ballot.3. Super delegates public declarations do not count.They can change their minds ( as some did during the primary). They are not committed to any of their public declarations. Nothing counts until they cast their votes in Denver on August 27th.